Directions to Mombasa: Mombasa is the main destination for Kenya safari tourists. Because of its beaches and location on Kenya’s eastern coast, which borders the Indian Ocean, it has become a well-liked resort. Mombasa’s abundance of marine life, first-rate hotels, and friendly atmosphere make it a popular destination for vacationers, families, and single people. There are numerous ways to travel to Mombasa, including as
The easiest and fastest method to go to Mombasa is by air. Moi International Airport, situated in the Port Reitz section of the mainland, is the only international airport in Mombasa that provides both regional and transcontinental flights. There are now more flights from European locations to Mombasa thanks to recent airport renovations. Although Ethiopian Airlines and Turkish Airlines also fly to this coastal city, Kenya Airways offers the most travel alternatives. Regional domestic and charter flights from Nairobi and other parts of the country can also reach Mombasa City via Moi International Airport; however, charter flights can also use the Bamburi airstrip in Mombasa.
Another alternative is road transportation. The Northern Corridor, which links several highways to Kenya’s provinces, includes the principal route between Nairobi, the capital and largest city, and Mombasa, the largest port city. In addition, it leads to Dar es Salaam and the route that connects Malindi and Lamu to the north, which also reaches the Somalia border. Private safari cars are always included in safari packages and can be reserved through tour companies. Depending on your typical driving speed, the 482-kilometer journey from Nairobi through several Kenyan counties could take up to four or five hours.
Two passenger trains leave the station every day, along with an intercounty train that stops at all stations and an express train that travels directly to Nairobi Terminal, which is quicker and takes only six hours to connect Nairobi. The Mombasa Terminus Station is a modern railway station, and the Standard Gauge Railway station in the suburbs is called Miritini. This is an additional route to Mobasa. With two daily departures from Nairobi, the city can easily be reached by train.
Many beautiful beaches in Mombasa are popular Kenya safari destinations for a range of exciting tourist activities, making them popular Kenya safari tourist attractions. The north coast and the south coast are the two divisions of these white sand beaches. While the south coast beaches are home to the Mombasa Marine National Park, the north coast beaches are a little livelier because of their close proximity to the airport and Mombasa city. The most exciting and relaxed adventurous moments can be found on these palm-lined beaches with coral reefs and crystal-clear waters.
The beaches on Mombasa’s north shore are a little livelier than those on the south, and they’re also nearer the city and the airport. The Mombasa Marine National Park features beaches including Nyali Beach, Bamburi Beach, and Shanzu Beach, as well as multicolored coral gardens, drop-offs, and the best wreck diving in Kenya on the MV Dania. This charming stretch of coast and coral reefs is surrounded by sun-bleached beaches of rustling palms, Tiwi, and Shelly beaches, as well as rain forests abounding with a variety of species and birds. A world of breathtaking natural beauty may be found on the south coast.
Fort Jesus, a UNESCO World Heritage monument built by the Portuguese between 1593 and 1596 and featuring a superb display of Portuguese military architecture in the shape of a man, is one of the Kenya safari tourist spots in Mombasa. Fort Jesus has many interesting battlements and abandoned buildings, including an Omani house, a structure with Omani jewelry, and exhibitions on Swahili culture, in addition to displaying a wide variety of ceramics and pottery from the many nations that traded along the coast.
Situated on the southeast side of Mombasa Island, the Old Town serves as a reminder of the period when this important harbor was under Portuguese administration. The architecture of the Old Town reflects the diverse cultural backgrounds of its population, who are predominantly Arab, Asian, and European. Intricately carved doors and balconies adorn the old buildings that coexist side by side along the meandering pathways, making it an ideal destination for history buffs.
Haller Park, a nature safari park for animal and bird lovers, is a Kenyan safari destination situated in Bamburi off the Mombasa-Malindi route. It has a game refuge, a palm garden, crocodile pens, a reptile area, a fish farm area, and a giraffe viewing platform. Numerous smaller mammals and birds, as well as antelopes, hippos, buffaloes, and giraffes, can be seen there. Do you recall the famous interspecies partnership that gained widespread attention online when 130-year-old tortoise Mzee adopted an orphaned hippo named Owen?
The Nguuni Animal Sanctuary, which is around a 15-minute drive from Haller Park and is home to giraffes, ostriches, eland, oryx, and several bird species, offers additional opportunities to watch animals. It’s also one of the most popular picnic spots in Mombasa.
The Mombasa Marine National Park, one of Kenya’s busiest offshore reserves that protects coral reefs, mangroves, sea grass meadows, and sandy beaches, is another must-see Kenya safari tourist spot in Mombasa. Diving and snorkeling are popular sports that offer views of marine life, such as seahorses, stingrays, eels, and many fish species.
A popular sight in the city, the Mombasa Tusks were built in 1952 to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s visit. Located in the town center, which houses most of the banks, shops, and marketplaces, the aluminum tusks act as a landmark for the entrance. The crossed tusks also form the letter “M” for Mombasa.
The Mamba Village Center in Nyali is home to the biggest crocodile farm in East Africa. Visitors can learn about the life cycle and behavior of these intriguing amphibians in the village’s botanical garden, which also has an aquarium. Orchids and water plants are the gardens’ specialty, but carnivorous plants are also present.
The best place to visit in Mombasa is the Shimba Hills National Reserve, which is situated on an island in Lake Victoria and provides a tranquil getaway from the city’s business district. Visitors will be amazed by the area’s stunning natural splendor, which includes lily-top ponds, forests, savanna, captivating waterfalls, and a rich rain forest. It is also home to various endangered plant, animal, and bird species. In addition to antelopes, elephants, and a variety of birds, one can occasionally spot a leopard.
The Gedi ruins, which lie near the town of Malindi on Mombasa’s north shore, are among the city’s oldest remains. A few thousand Swahili lived in Gedi, a little rock-built settlement. This ancient Arab-African settlement has been conserved as a National Museum, one of the countless artifacts of the past. Gedi’s Dated Tomb, Gedi’s Tomb of the Fluted Pillar, the Great Mosque, Gedi’s Palace, Annex, the house of the cowries, the houses of the Porcelain Bowl, the Panelled V Walls, the Mosque of the Long Conduit, the Sunken Court, the Long Court, the House on the Wall, the Dhow, and the house of the double dourt are all visible from the many walkways that wind through the ruins.
There is a lot of shouting, wheeling, bartering, jostling, and, of course, the unique perfume of the curry, cardamom, pepper, and turmeric powders at vendor after stand in this market, which runs west of the Old Town along Nehru and Langoni Roads. Delicious street cuisine is also available from stalls along Langoni Road. Among other marketplaces, Kongwea offers clothing, while the Maasai market offers souvenirs and one-of-a-kind artwork.
This workshop and cultural center, which offers visitors a taste of Mombasa culture and customs, is run by the Association for the Physically Disabled. They can witness tribal dancing performances and traditional homesteads throughout Kenya. The workshops offer handcrafted souvenirs such leather crafts, wood carvings, jewelry, and textiles that help fund the center’s activities.